That little bit extra

Tom Huddlestone believes getting in Fulham's faces after the break was the key to our memorable FA Cup quarter-final victory last night.

Tom Huddlestone believes getting in Fulham's faces after the break was the key to our memorable FA Cup quarter-final victory last night.

The midfielder, who came off the bench at half-time to make his return from an ankle injury, believes the visitors were afforded too much space to dictate the game early on - and they took advantage by going a goal in front.

But even though Harry Redknapp was forced into re-shuffling his pack, Tom hails the improved performance in overturning the deficit and running out 3-1 winners on our way to a Wembley semi-final date with Portsmouth.

He said: "Fulham were very good first half. All of their players throughout were comfortable on the ball but I think we probably showed them too much respect and they had their own way a bit much.

"Once we got about them, pressed them and put a few tackles in, that was when we were at our best and we got on top.

"We seemed to be more energetic in the second half, which gave us the impetus to go on and get chances at goal, and I thought David Bentley was the difference when he came on.

"I had to sit in the midfield after Wilson moved to right-back [replacing the injured Vedran Corluka] but the movement and possession of the ball and the little triangles we were playing were second to none.

"Once we got the second and third we could relax a little bit and try not to concede again."

And now Tom is relishing a Wembley return on Sunday April 11, adding: "The semi-finals of the FA Cup are something special. It's going to be a massive day out and we have to go into full of confidence.

"This group of players needs to win things, we need to be in finals of major competitions and domestically there's none bigger than the FA Cup."